Portraits of Family Members

1. 1

   Gather paper and drawing tools. Mom sits facing your child and says, “Today, you’re going to draw my portrait.”

2. 2

   Before drawing, look closely at Mom’s face together: “Is my face round or square?”

3. 3

   As your child draws, Mom names a feature: “My hair is long. It reaches my shoulders.” Let your child look up to check and represent it in their own way.

4. 4

   If a detail is missed, invite another look: “I’m wearing little earrings. Can you find them beside my face?”

5. 5

   When the portrait is finished, Mom holds it beside her face and says, “Wow—you noticed so many details!” If your child wants another round, invite Dad to sit for a portrait too.

What to notice

• Studies your facial features and draws what they see Scientific Inquiry
• Grasps the drawing tool with their fingers and draws on the paper Fine Motor

Tips

• The portrait does not need to look realistic. It is enough for your child to draw the features they notice.
• If they stay engaged, move from a face to a full-body portrait. Invite them to add details such as buttons, clothing patterns, or other features they see.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Looking closely at facial features and representing them in a portrait gives your child practice noticing, recording, and describing observable details.
• Movement: As your child draws portraits, they practice gripping and precisely controlling a drawing tool, strengthening fine motor skills.